Wanted: A pied piper for cats in Mt. Lebanon

Published Jul 3, 2013 at 6:34 am
(Updated Jun 27, 2013 at 4:01 pm)

It seems in their zeal to want to rid Mt. Lebanon of rats and other vermin, that it has now become over-run by stray cats.

Our flowers are ruined, our porch furniture soiled and the cat spray reeks! We are no longer afforded the enjoyment of watching the birds frolicking in our birdbath, nor the joy of welcoming baby birds into our yard – because the cats have killed them.

And then there is the noise. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard a cat fight outside your bedroom window at 3 a.m.

Stray cats do carry rabies. So, not only do we have a risk to property, but a risk to health, too.

The really obnoxious part about all of this is that it could be alleviated somewhat if cat owners kept their cats indoors, or on their own property. They arrogantly feel that it is okay to let their pet cats cause havoc in their neighbor’s yards – and impregnate other cats.

Cats become pregnant very quickly, and will deliver very quickly. It only takes 60 days from conception to delivery. The litter can be from two to eight kittens. The female can go back into heat as quickly as three weeks after giving birth. You can see how an “unmonitored” female cat can cause the cat population to explode.

When this problem is reported to Mt. Lebanon officials their reply is, “Cats have a right to roam freely.” Really? What about my rights? The last I looked, cats did not pay taxes in Mt. Lebanon (or anywhere).

Home owners are told they cannot capture theses strays. Heaven forbid! But something must be done about this growing problem in Mt. Lebanon. If not now – when?